Chapter 17
The cold winter night reluctantly yielded to morning. After a breakfast filled with genuine laughter and easy jokes with Astrid and Blake, Riley and Alice began their long drive home, warmly inviting Astrid and Blake to visit their remote haven. Blake, eager to escape the city's towering buildings and constant noise, readily accepted, excited to experience a different way of life.
Astrid observed that Riley, the Adam she once knew, undeniably changed. The arrogance and negative manners had been replaced by humility and kindness. She was truly happy for him, seeing his changes, her resentment towards him fade away. She never imagined they could return to being friends.
Once Alice and Riley departed, leaving Astrid alone with Blake in his vacation house, a familiar unease crept on her veins, shrinking under his gaze. It wasn't just pre-wedding jitters; a part of her still struggled to reconcile that a lot of changes had occurred to Blake, from a shy homeless garbage collector wandering on the street that she saved before to a confident, charming, and wealthy man, far from the Blake she had known in the past. She found it hard to believe that this man would soon be entirely hers as their wedding date approached.
Astrid couldn’t help but notice the noticeable changes on Blake's physique, sculpted by gym training from lean to muscular.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Blake's gentle question, "Hey, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Caught off guard, Astrid blushed, her heart pounding with a mix of shyness and excitement. "Nothing," she mumbled.
Blake, who had deeply missed her, drew closer. "Astrid, I'm so glad we're together again." He embraced her tenderly. "Never leave me again, please?" He held her close, and she could feel his warm breath. This wasn't their first embrace, but she felt a surge of nervousness and anticipation.
"Miss you too, Blake. Of course…" she mumbled. This felt like the familiar prelude to intimacy.
"I just missed you so much." He held her tighter, and she found herself relaxing into his touch, closing her eyes. Blake gently kissed her lips.
A notification on Astrid's phone ripped their lips apart. He reluctantly released her, his gaze lingering. She quickly glanced at the message from her stepmother: "Astrid, where are you? Come home, we need to finalize your gown. Let’s make sure it's perfect."
"Blake, I need to go," she sighed, trying to sound casual, still feeling the lingering effects of their almost-intimate moment.
"Alright," he said, smiling inwardly at her reaction. "Take care, Astrid."
"I will." She hurried out of the room and to the parking lot. After a short drive, she arrived at the Moore mansion. She went to her room, took off her party dress, and showered. Refreshed, she dressed and joined her stepmother for a visit to the renowned wedding gown designer whose luxurious shop designed her dream dress. The gown was elegant, classy, and sophisticated. She had never imagined herself in such a gown, but now, with Blake as her groom, her heart soared with excitement.
Days flew by, each one bringing their wedding closer. On a winter evening, the wedding chapel was a vision in white, adorned with pure white flowers that mirrored the snowflakes falling outside.
Blake stood at the altar, awaiting Astrid's arrival. He was breathtaking in his wedding suit: tall, muscular, and radiating confidence with his sharp jawline and easy swagger. His dark hair was styled in a neat man bun, and the expensive suit spoke volumes about his wealth and the power of the Blackwell family, one of the most influential in the capital city. As the future CEO of Blackwell Inc., he was about to marry the woman he had once lost, his angelic savior. Overwhelming joy bubbled within him.
Astrid appeared, radiant in a pure white gown mirrored the winter snow. She walked slowly toward the altar, her heart pounding with each step.
Blake watched her approach, his heart filled with anticipation. The wedding theme song, “I Need You” by LeAnn Rimes, filled the air.
Astrid's nervousness threatened to overwhelm her as she neared the altar, but she masked it with a sweet smile. She calmed herself as she reached Blake, who took her hand, his touch sending a pleasant shiver through her, and led her to the front of the officiating clergy.
The wedding ceremony began. Both families beamed, witnessing their alliance come to fruition. They were now husband and wife.
The reception was held at one of the most famous venues in town. The venue buzzed with members of the Blackwell and Moore families, friends, and business associates. Tables overflowed with food and drink, and gifts for the newlyweds piled high. Admiration shone in every guest's eyes, celebrating the union of two powerful business empires. Astrid and Blake moved through the crowd, graciously accepting well wishes.
The Moore, Morgan, and Blackwell family members, unaware of the past swap involving Riley and Blake, were pleasantly surprised to see Astrid and Adam getting along so well. They were pleased that their forgiveness with each other had brought about such a positive outcome.
Casey, who also attended their wedding with her parents and uncle who owned the gym, had been growing increasingly desperate in the weeks leading up to the wedding. The realization that Blake genuinely preferred Astrid, despite her attempts to win him over, had driven her envy and bitterness. She saw Astrid as having everything she wanted: love, wealth, and status. In a moment of impulsive rage, fueled by too much liquor, she decided to expose Blake, hoping to ruin Astrid's happiness, even if it meant destroying her own reputation.
She rushed to the stage and told the wedding emcee that she had an important announcement to make about Blake. The emcee handed her the microphone. "Everyone, listen," she began. "Astrid's groom is an impostor!"
Whispers and commotion rippled through the crowd. Noah Blackwell swiftly took to the stage to calm the attendees. "Everyone, please, calm down. The information she has is false. There is no impersonation. He is the real Adam Blackwell." He continued to explain, intentionally omitting the names of those involved.
Hearing the full story, Casey was overcome with shame. She fled the stage without a word, blaming Riley for not revealing the whole truth, even though he had warned her to let it go. She cried outside the venue, the embarrassment hitting her hard. She realized she had allowed her jealousy to consume her, leading her to make a terrible mistake. All that was left was remorse. She walked away with a heavy heart, full of tears, knowing that Astrid had won.
Back inside the venue, Daniel and Beatrice, Astrid's adoptive parents, arrived late, having been on a business trip abroad. Beatrice had always struggled with her feelings for Astrid. On one hand, she resented the girl for disrupting her life and reminding her of her past relationship with Ethan Moore. On the other hand, she couldn't deny the affection that had grown between them over the years. Seeing Astrid on her wedding day, radiant and happy, stirred a mix of emotions within her.
When Astrid saw them, she ran to them like a child, "I was waiting for you! I thought you had forgotten me." She wiped away her tears.
"That's impossible," Beatrice said, embracing her. "Mommy was just busy."
Astrid was surprised by Beatrice's affection. "Thanks, Mom."
Beatrice, in tears, said, "I thought I would be happy if you weren't in my life anymore, but I missed you, little brat." She pinched Astrid's nose playfully.
"I missed you too, Mom. I realized it's better to be by your side, feeling like I was born into a normal family, shielding me from people's judgment," Astrid replied, sobbing.
"But Astrid, you need to face where you really belong. You are a Moore, not a Morgan," Beatrice said, feeling pity for Astrid. She knew Astrid’s father had brought her home to the Moores for business purposes.
A shadow of conflict crossed Astrid's face. While she loved her adoptive parents, she couldn't ignore the fact that she was a Moore by blood, not a Morgan. She knew her father had brought her into their family for strategic reasons, and a part of her wondered if she would ever truly belong.
"I know, Mom," Astrid said, wiping her tears and composing herself as other guests approached her.
As the event drew to a close, the guests and families departed.
Blake brought Astrid to Blackwell’s mansion, her new home.